Gavaskar denounces on-field scuffles

Former captain Sunil Gavaskar on Monday loathed the way Indian and Sri Lankan cricketers got involved in ugly on-field altercations, saying such incidents are <g data-gr-id="28">poor</g> advertisement for the sport.

Indian paceman Ishant Sharma exchanged a few words with Dhammika Prasad and Dinesh Chandimal on Monday, and on Sunday, the gangling bowler argued with Rangana Herath and Kusal Perera.

“These are some of the <g data-gr-id="34">scene</g> that you don’t want to see. The kids are watching and international players are <g data-gr-id="33">role</g> models. This is just a sport which should be enjoyed. You don’t want the parents to tell their kids that you should not play this sport,” Gavaskar told NDTV.

However, the batting legend was impressed with the way Ishant has bowled in this Test.

“He was terrific. The wrist position is better, the seam is upright, the away going delivery seems to have come back. It’s good news for the Indian cricket. If he can control (his temperament), it’s good (for the team),” he said.

Gavaskar also had an <g data-gr-id="71">advise</g> for Stuart Binny. “His partnership with Rohit Sharma steadied the innings. He played as he usually plays. If he can stop thinking about aerial shots, it will be good. He should play his shots but along the ground.”